Live: Steve Hackett @ Birmingham Symphony Hall

by | Nov 23, 2014

Steve Hackett, Genesis Extended Tour, 2014 (Lee Millward)

Steve Hackett, Genesis Extended Tour, 2014 (Lee Millward)

Steve Hackett selected the  Symphony Hall Birmingham to be the final date of his third year of Genesis tours, all sold out, time and time again. The bar area of the hall pre-show featured a mature and pleasant audience with an expectant buzz in the air, many are here with the knowledge that this year is the 40th Anniversary of the release of Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Fittingly, the large window structures look out over a bustling Broad Street, this is not New York Broadway but parallels of a bustling and darkened street are drawn, so would the Lamb Lie down yet again for Steve Hackett on Broad Street?

It was often the case on the final night of an extensive European Tour the musicians become tired and jaded from the previous months travel and performance schedules, the show commenced with some dark classical Russian classical themes. However, have no fear of dark nights; this unit was tight as a nut, polished and professional to the last note. Hackett dressed all in black took the centre stage as his fellow players joined the set and bursting into Dance on a Volcano.

 

Steve Hackett, Genesis Extended Tour, 2014 (Lee Millward)

Nick Beggs plays with Steve Hackett, Genesis Extended Tour, 2014 (Lee Millward)

Nick Beggs delved into the 12 string guitar which was a signature tune of early Genesis absorbing the bass into a guitar role; meantime the lightshow was working overtime, resulting in a performance which bought rays of sunshine, creativity, and lengthy music and sometimes bewildering lyrics: all subjectivity which sum up the brand of Genesis.

Carrying on with the Trick Of A Tail scenario Squonk saw drummer Gary O Toole working away believing he was both Phil Collins and Chester Thomson in one person, with modern technology, he pulled it off, producing massive rhythm and some great vocals. Also producing a massive sound, deep from within his soul, was vocalist, Nad Sylvan, seemingly Dancing With The Moonlight Knight throughout the 2 ½ hour show.

Steve Hackett, Genesis Extended Tour, 2014 (Lee Millward)

Steve Hackett, Genesis Extended Tour, 2014 (Lee Millward)

When I interviewed Steve Hackett in July I asked if Fly On A Windshield was one of the heaviest tracks he had written, incredulously the answer came back that this was never intended to be a heavy guitar piece but was written more as an ensemble with inspiration being born from Respighi’s Pines of Rome. With this knowledge now in my head this piece of music was listened to with new ears and a real sense of satisfaction as some source of the Genesis classical roots had been revealed.

Digging up further cultivated roots Hackett recited some of the events of 1971 which lead to the Return Of The Giant Hogweed. On the previous 2013 tour this song had been accompanied by a massive background of three visual screens beaming entertaining cartoon graphics but those visual effects were not utilized at all this year.

 

Steve Hackett, Genesis Extended Tour, 2014 (Lee Millward)

Steve Hackett, Genesis Extended Tour, 2014 (Lee Millward)

The Fountain of Salmacis recites the story of Greek mythology where the nymph Salmacis attempts to rape Hermaphroditus, joined as one in the same body. Again listening with new years it is remarkable how many riffs and melodies from this early Genesis song from the album Nursery Cryme appear much later in adapted forms on both Suppers Ready and in parts of Lamb Lies Down. Nursery Cryme was recorded and released in 1971 and is the first Genesis album to feature Steve Hackett and Phil Collins.

I Know What I Like featured a very effective sax solo from Rob Townsend which turned into a jam of raucous jazz quality. Fittingly Townsend has forged a successful jazz career over many years and even played with Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Bruford being the initial drummer who Phil Collins entrusted the kit to when he went centre stage on the first Genesis live shows without Peter Gabriel.

Steve Hackett, Genesis Extended Tour, 2014 (Lee Millward)

Steve Hackett, Genesis Extended Tour, 2014 (Lee Millward)

Some of those tracks where Bruford drums for Genesis are featured on the 1977 Double Live Album Seconds Out, the light shows of which go down in music history as groundbreaking. In Genesis Extended 2014 Steve Hackett replicates those light shows magnificently and the Birmingham Symphony Hall sucked up all the rays and spewed them back out at that the spellbound audience during the impressive 2 ½ hour set

The acoustic set leads into Firth Of Fifth. This stunning guitar piece was written by Steve Hackett and he plays it sublimely, seemingly not moving an inch as his fingers, arms and entire body extract a depth of continuous sound which is uncanny. Indeed, this guitar riff remains cemented as the number one Progressive Solos of all time, time and time again. It is little wonder then that the Hackett camp feel short changed that in a recent BBC Documentary on Genesis, the producer chose to concentrate 4 minutes of film showing how Daryl Stuermer (the American live session Genesis guitarist who is not allowed to be on any of their Studio recordings) can play this outstanding piece, composed by Steve Hackett.  Faux Pas for the BBC.

Steve Hackett, Genesis Extended Tour, 2014 (Lee Millward)

Steve Hackett, Genesis Extended Tour, 2014 (Lee Millward)

As the lamb lay down on Broad Street for Steve Hackett and his bunch of troubadours their highly accurate renditions of Genesis songs transfer to the real Broadway as Steve Hackett hits New York, USA at the start of a 4 month USA and South American Tour, catch them if you can, this format may never be repeated as next year sees a return to his solo projects.

Review by Tim Price and Photography by Lee Millward. Symphony Hall Birmingham 4th November 2014.

 

Will Linley (Press)

Will Linley Shares Debut Album ‘Don’t Cry Because It’s Over’

Rising South African singer-songwriter Will Linley has unveiled his eagerly awaited debut album Don’t Cry Because It’s Over, out now via Island Records. At just 22, the Cape Town native has already built an international following with his blend of emotionally candid lyrics and breezy, hook-filled pop — and this first full-length release captures both his youthful perspective and his growing maturity as an artist.

Nathan Sykes (Press)

Nathan Sykes Shares New Single ‘Butterflies’ Ahead Of Forthcoming Album ‘Ultraviolet’

After returning earlier this summer with Getting Lost, his first solo release in eight years, Nathan Sykes has shared a second taste of his long-awaited new album Ultraviolet. The shimmering new single Butterflies is out now, with the full record due for release on 17th October.

BUNT. x The Chainsmokers x Izzy Bizu (Press)

BUNT. Links Up With The Chainsmokers And Izzy Bizu On Euphoric New Single ’Spaces’

Stutter house trailblazer BUNT. has teamed up with GRAMMY®-winning duo The Chainsmokers and GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter Izzy Bizu on new single Spaces, out now via Arista Records. The high-octane collaboration lands as summer fades, offering a euphoric soundtrack built for both festival stages and late-night dancefloors.

Parov Stelar Announces Ambitious New Album ‘Artifact’, Shares Cinematic Lead Single ‘Rebel Love’

Austrian producer, DJ, and pioneer of electro-swing Parov Stelar has announced details of his brand-new album Artifact, set for release on 14th November via his own Etage Noir Recordings (distributed by AWAL). The record arrives preceded by the sweeping new single Rebel Love, accompanied by a monochrome, late-19th-century-inspired video.

Sykamore Shines At The Long Road Festival

The late summer sun bathed Stanford Hall in gold as festival-goers wandered the grounds, the hum of distant stages blending with laughter and chatter. It was here, amid the vibrant energy of the festival, that I caught up with Sykamore, whose warmth and approachability are as inviting as the storytelling in her music.

Maya Lane @ The Long Road Festival 2025 (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

Maya Lane: Storytelling On Every Stage

The Long Road Festival prides itself on being a home for all shades of Americana, from boot-stomping honky-tonk to...
Erin Kinsey @ The Long Road Festival 2025 (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

Erin Kinsey: Finding Her Road At The Long Road Festival

As The Long Road Festival wound towards its close, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Erin Kinsey. Fresh from her...
The Last Dinner Party @ Glastonbury Festival 2024 (Kalpesh Patel)

The Last Dinner Party Announce Massive Headline Tour For New Album ‘From The Pyre’

The Last Dinner Party have unveiled details of a huge 35-date headline tour alongside the announcement of their hotly...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing